Snap-On Date Coded Ratchets - A Walk Through Time

This is a odd Snap on 7/8 drive ratchet. Has a 7/8 x 7/8 plug. Has a 27 code, but with a older type rat. Catalog Model number XHD7 (not stamped on ratchet). This has a drilled hanger hole. Both sides read the same. Snap/On Manufactured by Snap/On wrench co. Milwaukee USA. The letter forging is crude.. There is no on/off lettering. This one would probably be made in 25-27. It looks like maybe they reworked a 5/8 rat, opened it up an put a different gear in it. Note the rivets, not smooth like the reg rats. But they are old. have the same tooth count, same type of plug you would find on a reg. 5/8 plug.

Snap on Model number HD7 (not stamped on ratchet). Has drilled holes (probably not factory) .Has a 28 code. Both sides read the same. Snap/On Manufactured by Snap/On wrench co. Milwaukee USA. The letter forging is much better that the earlier version .. This one has on/off lettering. . Note the 7/8 drive rat is the same one, but with a different plug.

Snap on No. 7. has a push thru plug. Has on/off. Patent Applied For is gone. . Would probably date 29-30. model number 7 on the ratchet. This one has two date codes 29 on one side and 30 on the other. Another change is between the 7 and the S on Snap is a - dash mark. There are a lot of model number 7's more that what I have here, but most of the others have things like different fonts. There probably are some more out there, so post a picture of them. PS: I am tired of No. 7 so lets move on.

The first Snap on 5/8 drive ratchet would be about 1925. It shows up in the 25 cat, and all the ads for 24-25 do not show a ratchet. Catalog Model number HD7 (not stamped on ratchet). No hanger hole. Some have drilled holes . Both sides read the same. Snap/On Manufactured by Snap/On wrench co. Milwaukee USA. The letter forging is crude.. There is no on/off lettering. What is odd about this one is that it has a 1930 code, but it has to be one made in 25-27. Note the 7/8 drive rat is the same one, but with a different plug.

Snap on Model number HD7 (not stamped on ratchet). Has Factory hanger hole .Has a 30 code. Both sides read the same. Snap/On Patent Applied For Manufactured by Snap/On wrench co. Milwaukee USA. The Patent Applied for is not on earlier versions. Another change is that the width of the inset is smaller, putting more total steel in the handle. This one has on/off lettering. . Note the 7/8 drive rat is the same one, but with a different plug.

Snap on Model number HD7 with a 5/8 to 3/4 plug. (not stamped on ratchet). Has Factory hanger hole .Has a 30 code. Both sides read the same. Snap/On Patent Applied For Manufactured by Snap/On wrench co. Milwaukee USA. The Patent Applied for is not on earlier versions. Another change is that the width of the inset is smaller, putting more total steel in the handle. This one has on/off lettering. . Note the 5/8 and 7/8 drive rat is the same one, but with a different plug.

the No 71 ratchet. Has a selector switch. Has removable gears. This one has a 31 date code. Has faceplate screws on the drive side where the socket fits on (this had to not work to good for larger sockets). One side has Patent Applied For.

the No 71 ratchet. Has a flat selector switch. Has removable gears. This one has a 31 date code. Has faceplate screws on the drive side where the socket fits on (this had to not work to good for larger sockets). One side has Patent Applied For. This is one of the rare Snap on ratchets.

Snap on Model number HD7 with a 3/4 plug. (not stamped on ratchet). Has Factory hanger hole .Has a 31 code. Both sides read the same. Snap/On Patent Applied For Manufactured by Snap/On wrench co. Milwaukee USA. The Patent Applied for is not on earlier versions. Another change is that the width of the inset is smaller, putting more total steel in the handle. This one has on/off lettering. . Note the 5/8 and 7/8 drive rat is the same one, but with a different plug.

Snap on F70 3/8 drive with a flat selector switch. Very rare. Date code 1931. Does not show in the cats. Has fitted faceplate. Faceplate has no hole for the paw. This has a date code of -1 on the faceplate, and a * on the switch side.

This is a odd Snap on 7/8 drive ratchet. Has a 5/8 x 7/8 plug. Has a 32 and 34 code, This is the same as a reg. 3/4 rat, but with a different gear. Has a selector switch for on/off. Usually the date code is between the on/off, but the date codes are on the rear, one in the faceplate and one in the body. Has a detachable 21 inch handle with no factory markings. Reads Pat No 1854513

Snap on F70A 3/8 drive with a pin selector switch. Date code 1934. The F70A Shows up in the 34-36 cats. Has faceplate and head with screws. like the more modern rats.. Faceplate has slightly bigger pin hole for the paw than the fitted plate. Both have the 34 code.

the No L71. Has a flat selector switch with screw. Has removable gears. This one has a 35 date code. No. Pat number. This is a very odd Snap on ratchet, only shows up in the 1935 New tools supplemental cat as "Supreme" ratchet. Handle reads: L-71 Snap On ratchet. Odd that the word Ratchet is stamped on it. This has a locking ring to attach the special sockets to, the sockets have the detent ball built into a top ring. The ratchet has no detent ball. This marks a change in Snap on design, the flat rat goes round.

the 5Z-3566 Snap on ratchet made for Ford. Has a selector switch. Has removable gears with 7/16 and 1/2 square openings. This one has a 35 date code. This is two 71A. ratchets put together. The 71A has been removed and a 5Z-3566 has been stamped in the top of the handle.
This rat was probably used in the Ford factory. Has the Ford logo on the head.

the No 7116 ratchet. Has a selector switch. Has removable gears. This one has a 35 date code. PAT. No. 1854513. This is a 71A with a 1/2 female hexagon drive. There are 12 differant sizes listed in the 38 supplement ranging from 1/2 to 1-1/8 openings. The 71A has been removed and the 7116 model number has been stamped on the bottom of the head.

Snap on L72N with pin selector. Snap on started 3/4 drive at about 1929. The 29-31 cats show a HD7 with a 3/4 plug. The 32 cat shows a 72. 33-34 shows a 72N. 35-36 shows a L72. 37-42 Shows a L72N.

This rat is dated 1935. I think it started as a 72N, notice how the L seems to have been added later. I think the only difference is that the 72N would have two detent balls and the L would have a lock pin on one side. This rat also has the S spring. The diameter of the handle is 7/8.

the No 71A ratchet. Has a selector switch. Has removable gears. This one has a 35/36 date code. PAT. No. 1854513. The paw is changed from the early No. 71. What has changed is the handle, has a flare out on the end.

This is a odd Snap on 7/8 drive ratchet. 7/8 fixed gear. Has the Ford stamp.. Has a 35 code, This is the same as a reg. 3/4 rat, but with a different gear. Has a selector switch for on/off. Has a detachable 21 inch handle with no factory markings. Reads Pat No 1854513. The socket pins are long gone.

the No P-71 ratchet. Has a selector switch. Has removable gears. This one has a 35 date code. PAT. No. 1854513. This is a industrial clone of the 71A. the detent ball has been replaced by a lock pin. The 71A has been removed and a P-71 has been stamped in the top of the handle.
This rat shows up in the 38 supplement catalog.

A PF70A ratchet. 3/8 drive. Date code 1936. As a P stamped in front of the F. (there are other models like this also). The Only difference in this and a F70A is the detent ball has been replaced with a pin. Has the large paw used in the later F70A. It is not listed in any cat, including the 38 supplemental.

Snap on F70A2 refrigeration ratchet. Has 1/4 inch female drive. Date code 1936. shows up in the 34-34 cats. Hard to find. Hole on end is also 1/4 inch. This is a F70A rat, and the number 2 is hand stamped, see pic.

the No 71-15 ratchet. Has a flat selector switch with screw. Has removable gears. This one has a 36 date code. PAT. No. 1854513. This marks a change in the Snap on design, a 15 inch 1/2 dr rat. The screw holding the selector switch was made 35-37. A pin was used with a flat selector in about 37-39, Then the brass one was used in the early 40's

Snap on F70N 3/8 drive with flat selector which uses a screw to hold the selector switch. This model is probably the first 3/8 with a round handle. . Date code 1936. The F70N Shows up in the 36-45 cats. Has faceplate and head with screws. The flat selector shows up in 36-37 the early ones have the screw.

the No 71-10R ratchet. Has a flat selector switch with pin. Has removable gears. This one has a 37 date code. PAT. No. 1854513. This marks a change in the Snap on design, the flat rat goes round and this one has a rubber grip. . I think this was made maybe a couple of years. Very rare. Only shows up in the 38 supplement cat.

the No 71N ratchet. Has a flat selector switch. Has removable gears. This one has a 37 date code. PAT. No. 1854513. The flat selector was made in 36 thru about 38-39. The 36 and some of the 37 models have a screw that holds the switch.

the No 71-10 ratchet. Has a flat selector switch with screw. Has removable gears. This one has a 37 date code. PAT. No. 1854513. The screw holding the selector switch was made 35-37. A pin was used with a flat selector in about 37-39, Then the brass one was used in the early 40's

the No 71-15R ratchet. Has a flat selector switch with pin. Has removable gears. This one has a 37 date code. PAT. No. 1854513. This marks a change in the Snap on design, the flat rat goes round and this one has a rubber grip. . I think this was made maybe a couple of years. Very rare. Only shows up in the 38 supplement cat.

Snap on GM70N. One of the rare rats. Shows up in the reg. snap on cats 1937-39. But oddly shows up in the 48 industrial cat. I have only seen maybe three. No screws in the head on the ones I have seen, but it is possible that one with screws was made, given that it is in the 48 indus. cat. This one has a 38 code.

Snap on RS4 3/8 drive with flat selector. Type 1. Date code 1939. The RS4 type 1 Shows up in the 38-39 cats. Has faceplate and head with screws. The type one has different geometry than type 2. The front turn has a 90 degree turn, the type 2 has two 45 degree turns in the front. Type 1 does not have USA on it. Also type 2 has a different selector switch and is about one inch longer. I think the type 1 was made 38-39 and the type 2 maybe 40-41. Both these are hard to find. Both have a throw (center of handle to center of gear) of about 3-1/4

Snap on F70N 3/8 drive long version. 10 inches. Date code 1941. Does not show up in the cats. Has faceplate and head with screws. I have seen two of these. Cannot say for sure if these are factory, but the stampings are in the middle of the handle, which seems to indicate that the name was stamped after it was made. There is also a military version the same length model A59444 which I have also listed.

Snap on RS4 3/8 drive Type 2. Date code 1941. The RS4 type 1 Shows up in the 38-39 cats. The type 2 does not show up in the cats. Has faceplate and head with screws. The type one has different geometry than type 2. The front turn has a 90 degree turn, the type 2 has two 45 degree turns in the front. Type 1 does not have USA on it. Also type 2 has a different selector switch and is about one inch longer. I think the type 1 was made 38-39 and the type 2 maybe 40-41. Both these are hard to find. Both have a throw (center of handle to center of gear) of about 3-1/4

Snap on GM70L. Shows up in the reg. snap on cats 1940-45. screws in the head on the ones I have seen. This one has a 42 code. Look at the screw location in the head, a bit off center, this happens a lot in the war time era.

the No 71N ratchet. Has a brass selector switch. Has removable gears. This one has a 44 date code. PAT. No. 1854513. This looks like it has been dipped in copper, even the selector switch was coated. Not sure it's use in the war, but copper was a scarce item. There are a 9/32 and a 3/8 rat with the copper coat also.

Snap on A59444. Most likely a military rat. 3/8 drive long version. 10 inches. Date code 1945. Does not show up in the cats. Has faceplate and head with screws. No name, but for sure Snap on made it. There is a long version of the F70N which is listed. If you have any info on this rat, please post.

Snap on M70M. Probably the most common 9/32 dr rat. Odd that it does not show up in the cats. This one has a 45 code. Has screws in the faceplate. Has a odd black finish, probably made as an industrial, as it has the locking detent pin..

Snap on AT8022. Used in the Packard Merlin tool kit.. 3/8 drive Date code 1945. Does not show up in the cats. Has faceplate and head with screws. No name, but for sure Snap on made it. There were many makers in the Packard Merlin tool kits. Usually the model number starts with AT, most of the tools are Whitworth.

Snap on M70M. Has a copper coated finish. as if the hole rat was dipped in copper. This one has a 45 code. Has screws in the faceplate. There is also a 3/8 and 1/2 dr version with the copper coat. Very hard to find.

Snap on F70N. Has a copper plated coat. like the rat was dipped in copper... 3/8 drive Date code 1945. Does not show up in the cats. Has faceplate and head with screws. There is also a 9/32 and 1/2 copper coated version.

the No 71N ratchet. Is a 5/8 opening female drive. Has removable gears. This one has a 47 date code. PAT. No. 1854513. These do not show the drive size. The 1947 industrial cat shows three sizes. 5/8 11/16 3/4. But the image shows the model number on the rat being 7120 etc, also shows the thin nail size selector switch. . Have not seen one from this era with the four digit number, only from the 1930's

Snap on F71 3/8 drive. This model is change in style and guts.. . Date code 1948. Has a new style of handle, the length as increased to 7-3/4, the 48 cat says 20 tooth, but all I have seen are 30. The F71a, b, c, d, f, g. had 30. These also had a odd shaped faceplate. I think the F71 was only made in 48, only shows in the 48 cat. Not sure if there was ever a F71E, so if you have one please post.

Snap on FR84. 3/8 drive round head. The first Snap on 3/8 dr round head. Date code 1950. Only shows up in the 48 cat. It is the exact same rat as the FR42, just a different model number. Has 42 teeth, and two paws, hench the 84. The 48 has two paws and 42 teeth also. The FR84 is very hard to find.

Snap on F710S 3/8 drive. Date code 1951. This is a real oddball. It looks like it was made as a protype. Has a model number not listed anywhere. Seems like they used a unfinished extension as a handle. The F710S model number is where the ext model number would be. The hole in the end is round (see pic) 20 tooth. Length 5 inches. There are no stampings on the bar. News: a picture of this shows up in the Snap on 1954 industrial cat. pg 37.

the No N3310 special ratchet. Is a factory special made from a L715. . Has removable gears. This one has a 52 date code. Have no idea who it was made for. Snap on made lots specials for other users, a lot for the railroad. This one is quite odd, I use it to tighten the cranks on my bike. Has a 32 tooth count.

The LR42. Was produced in the early 50's. Pat. in the normal round head 2020883. Also in imprinted with the pat. D-132891 which is a pat. for the handle. Is one of the new type handles with the three rings. Has a tooth count of 42. Only shows up in the 53-55 cats. Just about all I have seen have a 54 code. What is odd is that in the 48 cat. it shows a SR-82, which is the same exact ratchet with a different model number.

Snap on RS4L 3/8 drive Date code 1954. The RS4L shows up in the 55-58 cats. The only real difference in the RS4 type 2 and the RS4L is the handle I think this was made from about 1954-59. throw (center of handle to center of gear) of about 3-1/4

The LR42. Was produced in the early 50's. Pat. in the normal round head 2020883. Also in imprinted with the pat. D-132891 which is a pat. for the handle. Is one of the new type handles with the three rings. Has a tooth count of 42. Only shows up in the 53-55 cats. Just about all I have seen have a 54 code. What is odd is that in the 48 cat. it shows a SR-82, which is the same exact ratchet with a different model number. This one has the factory stampings inset. I have no clue why.

Snap on PM70M. The P stands for Power, Snap on made 9/32 drive into at least the 60's. This one has a 55 code. Has screws in the faceplate. Has a detent ball. Has industrial finish. Is in a old style frame, also the lettering is old style. Snap on has a / instead of a -.

Snap on FR42. 3/8 drive round head. Date code 1957. Only shows up in the 53 and 55 cat. It is the exact same rat as the FR84, just a different model number. Has 42 teeth, and two paws, The 84 has two paws and 42 teeth also.

Snap on L710 early USA version. 1/2 drive. There are two USA versions and a Canada version., USA 1950-59 and 60-67. This one is a USA 1957. The early USA version compared to the Canada version. The USA version has the name, model number and USA on one side. The Canada version has a large Snap on Logo on one side and the model number and Can on the other. The rings on handle on the USA version are a bit bigger. The early L710 has a flat shaft on both sides.

Snap on L710 Canada version. 1/2 drive. There are two USA versions and a Canada version., USA 1950-59 and 60-67. This one is a Canada 1958. The early USA version compared to the Canada version. The USA version has the name, model number and USA on one side. The Canada version has a large Snap on Logo on one side and the model number and Can on the other. The rings on handle on the USA version are a bit bigger. The early L710 has a flat shaft on both sides.

The N6108. Probably a Lineman's ratchet, or Scaffold Ratchet. I do not know to much about this ratchet. It is almost like the B3408, but the handle is a little different. This one has a 58 code. the socket opening on the end of the rat is 7/8, this points more to a scaffold rat. This came with a regular detent ball to hold the socket. Not sure if it started that way. It is a special, not sure why. This one has had a hard life, lots of pitting. Hard to find.

Snap on RS4LB 3/8 drive This one has two date codes the head has 62 and the handle has Date code 1963. The RS4LB shows up in the 60-62 cats. The only real difference in the RS4L and the RS4LB is the handle I think this was made from about 1960-63. throw (center of handle to center of gear) of about 3-1/4 This one is hard to find.

Snap on L710 late USA version. 1/2 drive. There are two USA versions and a Canada version., USA 1950-59 and 60-67. This one is a USA 1962. The late USA version has the name, model number and USA on the inset on the handle. The L710 has a flat shaft on both sides. The later version has a different logo and rings than the early versions.

Snap on S6207 ratchet. Shows up in the 65 cat. This one has a 63 code. 3/8 drive. Cat reads: Ratcheting adaptor for use with TQ-50A "Torqometer" and 3/8" socket for torquing connecting rod nuts of Corvair head, is 15/16 deep, 13/32 wide. Overall length is 10-13/16. This wrench gets to these almost inaccessible nuts easily.

Snap on No. 5700 ratchet branded TecoMaster. This is a quote out of the Snap on Tools Canadian History Book from the era of 1960s. "an opportunity was available to supply a line of Tecomaster Professional Tools to the T. Eaton Co. In an effort to protect the Dealer force a new design was developed both for the handles and the sockets. This filled a void, allowed the factory to maintain their work force and avoid servere production cutbacks. Eventually the economy of the country turned around and demand on Snap on tools increased. Some dealers were voicing resentment against this "second line" Eventually Eaton was told that we could not longer supply them and production was converted to Snap on Tools". Made in Canada. Has a 63 code. Very hard to find. Snap on made other rebranded rats also. Caterpillar, Schwinn.

the No SV70L military ratchet. Has a different handle than most Snap on rats. . Has removable gears. This one has a 63 date code. As far as I can tell these were made in the 60's and 70's. I have not seen a SV70, but Snap on made a short 1/2 drive version of this type handle for Caterpillar. This type handle shows up in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive rats, speeders, and pull bars.

Snap on F671 3/8 drive round head Canada version. Date code 1964. Only shows up in the 62 cat. Has 20 teeth , The F671 USA verison is different. The Canada version is one inch shorter and the handle is a little different. These are very hard to find..

Snap on F670A 3/8 drive round head. Date code 1964. this one is made in Canada. Only shows up in the 62 and 65 cat. Has 20 teeth , Has a pin to hold the head, the F670 has screws, The handle is a bit different than the F670.

Snap on TM70B Canada version. What is different about this is the fat handle. Reg rat handle is about .10 inch thick, this one is about .125. Has CAN. on handle. Date code 1965. Attached is a pic showing the two different handles from the same period.

the No 8H8557 Caterpillar ratchet. Has a different handle than most Snap on rats. . Has removable gears. This one has a 70 date code. Also, this model number shows up with at least one other type of handle. . This type handle shows up in Snap on 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive rats, speeders, and pull bars. Snap on made lots of tools for Caterpillar. Neither the Snap on or Caterpillar name shows up on this rat. Has a 24 tooth count.

The B3408. Lineman's ratchet, or Scaffold Ratchet. I do not know to much about this ratchet. I know it was made from at least the 50's thru 70's. This one has a 77 code. Some have a large flat selector switch to use with gloves. Some have the regular one (could have been changed). Has a B3409 socket 7/8, the socket opening on the end of the rat is also 7/8, this points more to a scaffold rat. Has a locking pin to hold the socket. Hard to find.

Snap on No. 73 one inch drive ratchet. It is a brute. It weighs 22 lbs and is 38 inches long with the handle. This type with the round selector switch shows up in the 34-36 cats. No date code on this one. .The 1-1/2 drive was the same rat with a bigger gear.